Non-Removable Drinking Straw Device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a non-removable drinking straw device primarily comprised of a straw body and a locking member, wherein the locking member is further comprised of a locking notch and at least one vertical slit that forms at least one retention member on the locking member body. The locking member sits around the straw such that the straw and a portion of the locking member can be placed inside a juice box or a juice pouch. Once partially inside the juice box or pouch, the locking member can be pushed down on the straw body and locked into position by manipulating a protrusion of the straw body within the locking notch. In the deployed position, the retention members extend outwards from the body of the locking member such that the locking member hits the top wall of the juice box or juice pouch.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/307,754, which was filed on Feb. 8, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of drinking straws. More specifically, the present invention relates to a non-removable drinking straw device primarily comprised of a straw body and a locking member, wherein the locking member is further comprised of a locking notch and at least one vertical slit that forms at least one retention member on the locking member body. The locking member sits around the straw such that the straw and a portion of the locking member can be placed inside a juice box or a juice pouch. Once partially inside the juice box or pouch, the locking member can be pushed down on the straw body and locked into position by manipulating a protrusion of the straw body within the locking notch. In the deployed position, the retention members extend outwards from the body of the locking member such that the locking member hits the top wall of the juice box or juice pouch. Therefore, the straw body cannot be removed from the juice box or juice pouch. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

Juice boxes and juice pouches typically include a straw that is used to consume the beverage. However, it may be difficult for young children to insert the straw through the opening of the box or pouch. Further, once the straw is inside the box or pouch, a child may try to remove the straw. If this occurs, the straw may fall on the floor and become dirty and unsanitary. Further, with the straw removed, liquid can leak out of the box/pouch and make a considerable mess. The straw can also become dangerous if a child tries to play with it, wherein the straw may poke the child or can be swallowed or choked on by the child.

Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved drinking straw. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a non-removable drinking straw device that does not pose a choking risk for young children. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a non-removable drinking straw device that can be used with juice boxes and juice pouches, wherein the straw can be inserted but not removed from the juice box or juice pouch.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a non-removable drinking straw device. The device is primarily comprised of a straw body and a locking member. The locking member is further comprised of a locking notch and at least one vertical slit that forms at least one retention member on the locking member body. The locking member sits around the straw such that the straw and a portion of the locking member can be placed inside a juice box or a juice pouch. Once partially inside the juice box or pouch, the locking member can be pushed down on the straw body and locked into position by manipulating a protrusion of the straw body within the locking notch. In the deployed position, the retention members extend outwards from the body of the locking member such that the locking member hits the top wall of the juice box or juice pouch. As a result, the straw body cannot be removed from the juice box or juice pouch.

In this manner, the non-removable drinking straw device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides an improved drinking straw. The device further does not pose a choking risk for young children. In addition, the straw can be inserted but not removed from the juice box or juice pouch unless by an adult user.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a non-removable drinking straw device. The device is primarily comprised of a straw body and a locking member. In differing embodiments, the straw body may be any shape, size, and style of straw known in the art. The locking member sits over a slot of the straw body above a stopper ring via a top opening and a bottom opening. The locking member is further comprised of a cylindrical body that is larger in diameter than the straw body.

The locking member is further comprised of a generally L-shaped locking notch that has a first vertical slot, a second vertical slot, and a horizontal slot. The body is also comprised of a plurality of vertical slits that form a plurality of retention members out of the body of the locking member. The locking notch further receives at least one protrusion that is integrally formed from, and extends outwards from the straw body.

To use the device, a user first inserts the straw body into a juice box or juice pouch as normal via the straw opening of the juice box such that the vertical slits of the locking member are positioned within the body of the juice box. In an undeployed position, the protrusion of the straw body rests at the bottom of the first vertical slot of the locking notch. To deploy the device, a user presses the locking member downwards on the straw body until the bottom opening of the member contacts a stopper ring that surrounds the straw body circumferentially.

Once a user presses the locking member downwards against the stopper ring, the retention members expand outwards from the body and each member forms a generally triangular shape extending away from the body. After the members have been expanded, a user can slide and turn the locking notch such that the protrusion moves up the first vertical slot, across the horizontal slot, and downwards such that the protrusion sits within the second vertical slot. In this position, the locking member is locked such that the retention members cannot be retracted and therefore prevent the straw from being pulled out of the juice box by contacting the top wall of the juice and in turn prevent the straw from being pulled through the straw opening.

Accordingly, the non-removable drinking straw device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an improved drinking straw. In doing so, the device provides a drinking straw that does not pose a choking risk for young children. Further, the device can be inserted but not removed from the juice box or juice pouch without an adult manipulating the locking member. In this manner, the non-removable drinking straw device overcomes the limitations of existing drinking straws known in the art.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a non-removable drinking straw device of the present invention in an undeployed position in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a non-removable drinking straw device of the present invention in a deployed position in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a non-removable drinking straw device of the present invention in an undeployed position in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart of one potential method of using one potential embodiment of a non-removable drinking straw device of the present invention in an undeployed position in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a non-removable drinking straw device of the present invention in a deployed position in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 5B illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a non-removable drinking straw device of the present invention in a deployed position within a juice box (shown in a cross-sectional view) in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a non-removable drinking straw device of the present invention threaded into a juice box in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved drinking straw. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a non-removable drinking straw device that does not pose a choking risk for young children. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a non-removable drinking straw device that can be used with juice boxes and juice pouches, wherein the straw can be inserted but not removed from the juice box or juice pouch.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a non-removable drinking straw device primarily comprised of a straw body and a locking member. In differing embodiments, the straw body may be any shape, size, and style of straw known in the art. The locking member sits over a slot of the straw body above a stopper ring via a top opening and a bottom opening. The locking member is further comprised of a cylindrical body that is larger in diameter than the straw body.

The locking member is further comprised of a generally L-shaped locking notch that has a first vertical slot, a second vertical slot, and a horizontal slot. The body is also comprised of a plurality of vertical slits that form a plurality of retention members out of the body of the locking member. The locking notch further receives at least one protrusion that is integrally formed from and extends outwards from the straw body.

To use the device, a user first inserts the straw body into a juice box or juice pouch as normal via the straw opening of the juice box such that the vertical slits of the locking member are positioned within the body of the juice box. In an undeployed position, the protrusion of the straw body rests at the bottom of the first vertical slot of the locking notch. To deploy the device, a user presses the locking member downwards on the straw body until the bottom opening of the member contacts a stopper ring that surrounds the straw body circumferentially.

Once a user presses the locking member downwards against the stopper ring, the retention members expand outwards from the body causing each member to form a generally triangular shape extending away from the body. After the members have been expanded, a user can slide and turn the locking notch such that the protrusion moves up the first vertical slot, across the horizontal slot, and downwards such that the protrusion sits within the second vertical slot. In this position, the locking member is locked such that the retention members cannot be retracted and therefore prevent the straw from being pulled out of the juice box by contacting the top wall of the juice and in turn prevent the straw from being pulled through the straw opening.

Accordingly, the non-removable drinking straw device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an improved drinking straw. In doing so, the device provides a drinking straw that does not pose a choking risk for young children. Further, the device can be inserted but not removed from the juice box or juice pouch without an adult manipulating the locking member. In this manner, the non-removable drinking straw device overcomes the limitations of existing drinking straws known in the art.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a non-removable drinking straw device 100 of the present invention in an undeployed position in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 is primarily comprised of a straw body 110 and a locking member 120. In differing embodiments, the straw body 110 may be any shape, size, and style of straw known in the art. The straw body 110 may further be made of any straw material known in the art such as, but not limited to: plastic, polypropylene, biodegradable material, etc. The straw body 110 may further be a bendable or non-bendable straw. In addition, the straw body 110 and locking member 120 may be any color known in the art and may be adorned with indicia such as, but not limited to: patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, numbers, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc.

The locking member 120 sits over a slot of the straw body 110 above a stopper ring 116 via a top opening 124 and a bottom opening 126. The locking member 120 is preferably made from the same material as the straw body 110, or from a rigid plastic material such as, but not limited to: acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, thermoplastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, acetal, nylon, fiberglass, recycled plastic, biodegradable plastic, etc. The locking member 120 is further comprised of a cylindrical body 122 that is larger in diameter than the straw body 110.

The body 122 is further comprised of a generally L-shaped locking notch 130, further comprised of a first vertical slot 132, a second vertical slot 134, and a horizontal slot 136. The body 122 is also comprised of at least one, but preferably a plurality of vertical slits 140 that form at least one, but preferably a plurality of flexible retention members 150 out of the body 122 of the locking member 120. The locking notch 130 further receives at least one protrusion 114 that is integrally formed from and extends outwards from the straw body 110.

One embodiment of the body 122 may only be comprised of at least one slit 140 and at least one retention member 150, absent a locking notch 130. In said embodiment, the slit 140 may be located in the middle of the body 122 or near the top opening 124 as seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 . In differing embodiments, the slit 140 may be vertical, horizontal, diagonal, curved, etc.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart of one potential method of using 200 one potential embodiment of a non-removable drinking straw device 100 of the present invention in an undeployed position in accordance with the disclosed architecture. To use the device 100, a user first inserts the straw body 110 into a juice box 10 or juice pouch as normal via the straw opening 14 of the juice box 10 [Step 202]. At this point, the vertical slits 140 of the locking member 120 are positioned within the body 16 of the juice box 10. In an undeployed position, the protrusion 114 of the straw body 110 rests at the bottom of the first vertical slot 132 of the locking notch 130. To deploy the device 100 within a juice box 10, a user presses the locking member 120 downwards on the straw body 110 until the bottom opening 126 of the member 120 contacts a stopper ring 116 [Step 204]. The stopper ring 116 surrounds the straw body 110 circumferentially such that the locking member 120 can press against the stopper ring 116.

Once a user presses the locking member 120 downwards against the stopper ring 116, the retention members 150 expand outwards from the body 112 and each member 150 forms a generally triangular shape extending away from the body 122, as seen in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B. After the members 150 have been expanded, a user can slide and turn the locking notch 130 such that the protrusion 114 moves up the first vertical slot 132, across the horizontal slot 136, and downwards such that the protrusion sits within the second vertical slot 134 [Step 206]. In this position, the locking member 120 is locked such that the retention members 150 cannot be retracted. When in the deployed position, the retention members prevent the straw 110 from being pulled out of the juice box 110 by contacting the top wall 12 of the juice box, which prevents the straw 110 from being pulled through the straw opening 14 of the juice box 10. In order to retract the retention members, a user simply performs the inverse of Step 206 and Step 204 in order to retract the retention members 150 back into the undeployed position wherein said members 150 are essentially near flush with the body 122 [Step 208].

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a non-removable drinking straw device 600 of the present invention threaded into a juice box 610 in accordance with the disclosed architecture. More specifically, the device 600 is comprised of a plurality of threads 602 that can be matingly threaded into a corresponding plurality of threads 612 present in an opening 614 of the juice box or pouch 610. The position of the threads 602 along the straw device 600 should be such that the straw extends to the bottom of an interior reservoir 616 of the pouch or box 610 when attached to the box 610 to ensure that the straw device 600 has access to all of the contents of the box or pouch 610. The plurality of threads 602, preferably number only two or three, and are sized and configured to matingly engage with the plurality of threads 612 present in the opening 614. Further, at least one end of the straw device 600 is preferably pointed so that the same can be used to puncture a seal (not shown) over the opening 614 of the juice box or pouch 610 just prior to use. In each of the various embodiments, the straw is preferably comprised of a food grade plastic material.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “non-removable drinking straw device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the non-removable drinking straw device 100 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the non-removable drinking straw device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the non-removable drinking straw device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the non-removable drinking straw device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the non-removable drinking straw device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the non-removable drinking straw device 100 may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-removable drinking straw device comprising: a straw body; and a locking member.
 2. The non-removable drinking straw device of claim 1, wherein the locking member is positioned around the straw body.
 3. The non-removable drinking straw device of claim 1, wherein the locking member is comprised of a plurality of vertical slits and a plurality of retention members.
 4. The non-removable drinking straw device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of retention members are flexible.
 5. The non-removable drinking straw device of claim 4, wherein the plurality of retention members are formed from the straw body via the plurality of vertical slits.
 6. A non-removable drinking straw device comprising: a straw body comprised of a protrusion and a stopper ring; and a locking member comprised of a locking notch, a plurality of vertical slits, and a plurality of retention members.
 7. The non-removable drinking straw device of claim 6, wherein the locking notch receives the protrusion of the straw body.
 8. The non-removable drinking straw device of claim 7, wherein the protrusion can be repositioned within the locking notch.
 9. The non-removable drinking straw device of claim 8, wherein the locking member can be locked in position on the straw body by repositioning the protrusion within the locking notch.
 10. The non-removable drinking straw device of claim 6, wherein the straw body is bendable.
 11. The non-removable drinking straw device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of retention members are flexible.
 12. The non-removable drinking straw device of claim 11, wherein the plurality of retention members are formed from the straw body via the vertical slits.
 13. The non-removable drinking straw device of claim 6, wherein the locking notch is generally L-shaped.
 14. The non-removable drinking straw device of claim 13, wherein the locking notch is comprised of a first vertical slot, a second vertical slot, and a horizontal slot.
 15. A drinking container and straw combination device comprising: a container comprised of a threaded opening and an interior reservoir; and a straw comprised of an elongated body portion and a plurality of threads positioned on an exterior surface of the straw.
 16. The drinking container and straw combination device of claim 15, wherein the plurality of threads are sized and configured to matingly engage with the threaded opening to secure the straw to the container.
 17. The drinking container and straw combination device of claim 16, wherein the plurality of threads are two or three threads.
 18. The drinking container and straw combination device of claim 17, wherein, when the straw is matingly engaged to the container, the straw extends to a bottom of the interior reservoir.
 19. The drinking container and straw combination device of claim 18, wherein at least one end of the straw is pointed.
 20. The drinking container and straw combination device of claim 18, wherein the straw is comprised of a food grade plastic material. 